By Collin Kelley
Nestled between
the drive-by
shootings and
L.A. murder trials,
60 seconds in Zaire...
On the road,
human tidal wave.
Millions in flight,
deserting the homeland.
A child by the roadside,
surrounded by ruins.
The women cover their
mouths and noses.
Side-long glances, in
motion.
On a hillside in Goma,
50,000 or more.
City in temporary
standstill.
Hours for water, bread,
death.
A food line in Kibumba,
children scrambling for
fallen grain.
Some wear bowls as hats,
dreaming of water.
Genocide.
Cholera.
Typhus.
Death indiscriminate.
On hard molten ground
the bodies are lain.
Covered in dirt, mass
graves.
No words are said as
the bulldozers come.
In other news...
From Better to Travel: Selected Poems
Collin is a journalist, editor, playwright and fiction writer as well as a poet, so when I say I have all his books, I mean novels and short stories as well as poetry. I think he's brilliant in all genres. He is also a generous promoter of other poets and has interviewed several online. For four years he used to do the same on radio.
The best place to learn more about Collin is in his blog, Modern Confessional, and the attached 'About Collin' page which gives details of his distinguished literary career. It also lists his publications and places to find some of his poems.
I could have chosen any of his poems; I enjoy and admire them all. I opted for this one because I think poetry with political themes is very hard to write successfully without descending into a rant —or so I find. Some things are so dramatic in themselves that they need no embellishment, only excellent description. His restraint is powerful. And then there's the biting irony in that throwaway last line!
Poems and photos used in ‘I Wish I’d Written
This’ remain the property of the copyright holders (usually their authors).
I enjoyed reading the poem you shared plus the background about Colin Kelley. He definitely does seem like a multi-dimensioned writer. I also took a look at his interesting blog! Thank you, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteGee, you're quick off the mark today! I'm glad you enjoyed reading. :)
DeleteYES! You nailed it - writing a poem about politics that isnt a rant is an art and this man has it. His words, unvarnished, unelaborated, say all that needs to be said. He paints pictures in one's mind that have profound effect. Thanks for this, Rosemary. You bring us such wonderful poets!!!!!
ReplyDeleteRosemary, I'm honored to be featured here. Thank you so much for picking that poem. x
ReplyDeleteI must admit that usually I don't warm to political poems simply because they rant and because they often speak to a narrow audience - region based. This one, however, is powerful, going beyond the political boundaries and into the social conscience! And that last line strikes a gong!
ReplyDelete